Devices and methods for dispensing hand sanitizer

ABSTRACT

A portable sanitizer dispenser for use with a cellular phone includes a hand sanitizer dispenser configured to releasably engage at least one surface of a cellular phone. The sanitizer dispenser includes a compressible cavity defined therein configured to retain a sanitizer therein. The sanitizer dispenser further includes a nozzle disposed on an outer surface thereof. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compressible cavity such that when pressure is applied to the compressible cavity, sanitizer is expelled from the nozzle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16,272,097, filed Feb. 11, 2019, which is aContinuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/876,911,filed on Jan. 22, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,203,719, which is aContinuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/957,160,filed on Dec. 2, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,874,899, which claims thebenefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application. No.62/086,452, filed on Dec. 2, 2014, the entire contents of each of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to dispensers and, more particularly, toportable hand sanitizer dispensers.

Description of Related Art

Humans interact with hundreds if not thousands of objects every day.Manipulating or touching these objects transmits pathogens, such asviruses, bacteria, fungus, and the like, and in doing so, fosters thespread of sicknesses and disease. As such, the use of hand sanitizers,such as PURELL®, SHBAN™, Germ-X®, and similar alcohol based or alcoholfree liquids or gels that effectively kill 99.9% of these pathogens hasbecome more prevalent. However, hand sanitizers are typically dispensedthrough the use of pump bottles, touch free dispensers, and other largedispensers incapable of truly portable use. Therefore, one is unable tosanitize his/her hands frequently or after handling objects that maytransmit pathogens unless a dispenser is nearby and handy, therebypromoting the spread of disease.

Therefore, a need exists for portable hand sanitizer dispensers that maybe easily carried and deployed with minimal effort.

SUMMARY

A portable sanitizer dispenser for use with a cellular phone includes asanitizer dispenser configured to releasably engage at least one surfaceof a cellular phone. The sanitizer dispenser includes a compressiblecavity defined therein configured to retain a sanitizer therein and anozzle disposed on an outer surface of the sanitizer dispenser. Thenozzle is in fluid communication with the compressible cavity such thatwhen pressure is applied to the compressible cavity, sanitizer isexpelled from the nozzle.

In aspects, the portable sanitizer dispenser may further include asafety mechanism configured to inhibit sanitizer from being accidentallyexpelled from the nozzle.

In other aspects, a resilient pad may be disposed over the compressiblecavity such that when the resilient pad is depressed, the sanitizercontained within the compressible cavity is discharged from the nozzle.

In aspects, the portable hand sanitizer dispenser may include a fillport disposed on the sanitizer dispenser. The fill port is in fluidcommunication with the compressible cavity.

In other aspects, the fill port may be a one way valve capable of matingwith a fill bottle, wherein insertion of the fill bottle within the fillport re-fills the compressible cavity with hand sanitizer.

In certain aspects, the safety mechanism may include a twist actionmechanism, wherein in a first, unactuated position, sanitizer isprohibited from being expelled from the nozzle, and in a second,actuated position, sanitizer is permitted to be expelled from thenozzle.

In aspects, the twist action mechanism may include a rotatable basedisposed on the sanitizer dispenser. The rotatable base may include alumen defined therethrough.

In certain aspects, when the twist-action mechanism is in the first,unactuated position, the lumen is misaligned with the compressiblecavity, and when the twist-action mechanism is in the second, actuatedposition, the lumen may be aligned with the compressible cavity.

In other aspects, when the twist-action mechanism is in the first,unactuated position, the lumen may be misaligned with the nozzle, andwhen the twist-action mechanism is in the second, actuated position, thelumen may be aligned with the nozzle.

In aspects, the twist action mechanism may include a biasing memberconfigured to bias the twist action mechanism to the first unactuatedposition.

Another portable hand sanitizer dispenser for use with a cellular phoneincludes a cellular phone case configured to engage at least one surfaceof a cellular phone. The cellular phone case includes a compressiblecavity defined therein configured to retain a sanitizer therein. Thecellular phone case also includes a fill port disposed on at least onesurface of the cellular phone case. The fill port is in fluidcommunication with the compressible cavity. The cellular phone casefurther includes a safety mechanism configured to inhibit sanitizer frombeing accidentally expelled from the compressible cavity and a dispenserincluding a nozzle in fluid communication with the compressible cavitysuch that upon application of pressure to the compressible cavity,sanitizer is expelled from the nozzle.

In aspects, the fill port may include a one way valve configured topermit sanitizer to flow into the compressible cavity, but not out ofthe compressible

In other aspects, the fill port may be configured to mate with a fillbottle, wherein insertion of the fill bottle within the fill portre-fills the compressible cavity with sanitizer.

In certain aspects, the compressible cavity may be configured to receivea disposable packet of sanitizer.

In aspects, the compressible cavity may include a door rotatably securedto the cellular phone case. The door is rotatable from a first positionwhere the compressible cavity is open, to a second position, where thecompressible cavity is closed.

In certain aspects, the door may be selectively removable from thecellular phone case.

In other aspects, the door may include at least one tab disposed on anend surface thereof. The at least one tab is configured to engage acorresponding at least one slot defined within the cellular phone case.

In aspects, the safety mechanism may include a twist-action mechanism,wherein in a first, unactuated position, sanitizer is prohibited frombeing expelled from the nozzle, and in a second, actuated position,sanitizer is permitted to be expelled from the nozzle.

The other aspects, the twist-action mechanism may include a rotatablebase disposed on the sanitizer dispenser, the rotatable base including alumen defined therethrough.

In aspects, when the twist-action mechanism is in the first, unactuatedposition, the lumen may be misaligned with the compressible cavity, andwhen the twist action mechanism is in the second, actuated position, thelumen may be aligned with the compressible cavity. The twist actionmechanism may include a biasing member configured to bias the twistaction mechanism to the first, unactuated position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects and features of the present disclosure are describedhereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable hand sanitizer dispenserprovided in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the portable hand sanitizerdispenser of FIG. 1, taken along line 1A-1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable hand sanitizer dispenserprovided in accordance with the present disclosure configured forattachment to an electronic device;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the portable hand sanitizer dispenser of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the portable hand sanitizer dispenser of FIG.2, illustrated as being actuated by a user;

FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of a portable hand sanitizerdispenser provided in accordance with the present disclosure,illustrated as being integrated into a portable electronic device case;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the portable hand sanitizerdispenser of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the portable hand sanitizer dispenser of FIG. 5,illustrated as being for use with a fill bottle;

FIG. 8 is a top view of yet another embodiment of a portable handsanitizer dispenser provided in accordance with the present disclosure,illustrated as being integrated into a portable electronic device case;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the portable hand sanitizer dispenser of FIG.8, shown with an articulating door and a sanitizer packet;

FIG. 9A is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the portable handsanitizer dispenser of FIG. 8, shown with a removable door and sanitizerpacket;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a safety mechanism provided inaccordance with the present disclosure and configured to precludeaccidental dispensing of hand sanitizer;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of another safety mechanism provided inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of yet another safety mechanism providedin accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a portablehand sanitizer dispenser provided in accordance with the presentdisclosure, illustrated as being disposed on a bracelet;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the portable hand sanitizer dispenser of FIG.11;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the portable hand sanitizer dispenser of FIG.11, illustrated as being actuated by a user;

FIG. 14 is another embodiment of a portable hand sanitizer dispenserprovided in accordance with the present disclosure, illustrated as beingintegrated within a bracelet;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the portable hand sanitizerdispenser of FIG. 14, taken along line 14-14;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the portable hand sanitizer dispenser of FIG.14, shown with a fill port;

FIG. 17 is a front view of yet another embodiment of a portable handsanitizer dispenser provided in accordance with the present disclosure,illustrated as having an articulating door and sanitizer packet;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the portable hand sanitizer dispenser of FIG.17; and

FIG. 18A is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the portable handsanitizer dispenser of FIG. 17, illustrated as having a removable doorand sanitizer packet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Devices and methods for portable hand sanitizer dispensing are providedin accordance with the present disclosure and described in detail below.The various portable hand sanitizer dispensers of the presentdisclosure, for example, each generally include an actuating member andnozzle in fluid communication with a hand sanitizer source. Detailedembodiments of such devices and methods of using the same are describedbelow. However, these detailed embodiments are merely examples of thepresent disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a portable hand sanitizer dispenserprovided in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated andgenerally identified by reference numeral 100. Portable hand sanitizerdispenser 100 includes a substantially flat bottom surface 104 and anupper surface 106 defining substantially planar side surfaces 108 and110. A pair of opposed first and second end surfaces 112, 114 extendbetween each of planar side surfaces 108, 110. A hollow interior 116 isdefined within portable hand sanitizer dispenser 100 and is configuredto contain a hand sanitizer therein. Although generally shown as havinga generally egg shaped configuration, it is contemplated that portablehand sanitizer dispenser 100 may include any suitable shape, such asrectangular, circular, oval, square, or the like. Further, althoughshown as increasing in height in a direction from first end surface 112towards second end surface 114, it is contemplated that upper surface106 may increase in height in any direction, may be substantiallyparallel to bottom surface 104, or may include elevations or depressionstherein.

Portable hand sanitizer dispenser 100 is constructed from a resilientmaterial such that bottom surface 104 may conform to any surface towhich it is placed upon. However, it is contemplated that portable handsanitizer dispenser may be constructed from a rigid material, or acombination of rigid and resilient materials. Such materials may bepolymeric (e.g., rubber, silicone, polyethylene), composites, organicmaterial, metals, or the like. An adhesive is disposed on bottom surface104 such that portable hand sanitizer dispenser 100 may be selectivelyadhered to any surface. As can be appreciated, other fastening methodsmay be employed that permit a user to adhere, and then easily remove,portable hand sanitizer dispenser 100 from a surface, such as magnetic,static cling, hook and loop, button-like, twist-on, or the like.

A nozzle 118 is disposed on upper surface 106 and is in fluidcommunication with hollow interior 116. In this manner, as a userdepresses upper surface 106, the hand sanitizer contained within hollowinterior 116 is discharged out of nozzle 118. Nozzle 118 may be anysuitable nozzle known in the art and capable of discharging handsanitizer. In embodiments, nozzle 118 may be an atomizing type, or maymerely be a lumen (not shown) capable of transferring hand sanitizerfrom hollow interior 116 to a user's hand.

Although generally referred to as hand sanitizer, the hand sanitizerreferenced herein may be any hand sanitizer known in the art, such asliquids, gels, or the like (e.g., PURELL®, SHBAN™, Germ-X®, etc.).

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, in use, a user may adhere portable handsanitizer dispenser 100 to any suitable surface, such as a cellularphone “C”, tablet, portable music device, handbag, electronic devicecase or the like. In one non-limiting embodiment, portable handsanitizer dispenser 100 may be adhered to a cellular phone case 120.Once adhered to the cellular phone case 120, a user may then depress theupper surface 104 of portable hand sanitizer dispenser 100 to dischargethe hand sanitizer contained within hollow interior 116 out of nozzle118. This process may be repeated as many times as desired. Once thehand sanitizer contained within hollow interior 116 of portable handsanitizer dispenser 100 has been extinguished, the user may removeportable hand sanitizer dispenser 100 from the cellular phone case andbe discarded. As can be appreciated, portable hand sanitizer dispenser100 may be constructed of recyclable materials.

Although generally described as being selectively removable from asurface, it is contemplated that portable hand sanitizer dispenser 100may be fixedly secured to a surface, such as a cellular phone case,tablet case, portable music player case, or the like. In this manner,portable hand sanitizer dispenser 100 may be selectively attachable toany portable electronic device known in the art, such as an iPod®,iPad®, Kindle® devices, or other portable music players (i.e., MP3's,MiniDisc, or the like) or tablets.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, another embodiment of a portable handsanitizer dispenser is provided in accordance with the presentdisclosure is illustrated and generally identified by reference numeral200. Although generally shown as being integrated into a cellular phonecase, it is contemplated that portable hand sanitizer dispenser 200 mayintegrated into any type of protective case, such as a tablet case,laptop case, portable music player case, or the like.

Portable hand sanitizer dispenser 200 includes a cellular phone case 202capable of being selectively secured to a cellular phone. Case 202includes a cavity or void 204 defined therein capable of retaining ahand sanitizer therein. A resilient pad 206 is disposed over cavity 204,such that a user may depress resilient pad 206 into cavity 204. A nozzle208 is fixedly disposed on case 202 and is in fluid communication withcavity 204. In this manner, when a user depresses resilient pad 206, thehand sanitizer contained within cavity 206 is discharged from nozzle208. Although generally shown as being disposed on a back surface 210 ofthe cellular phone case 202, it is contemplated that resilient pad andnozzle 208 may be placed at any suitable location on the cellular phonecase 202. A fill port 212 is disposed on a side surface 214 of cellularphone case 202 and is in fluid communication with cavity 206. Fill port212 may be any suitable fill port known in the art capable of receivinga fill bottle 216 or other similar device to recharge the cavity 206with hand sanitizer. In embodiments, fill port 212 may be a one wayvalve to prevent hand sanitizer from backflowing out the fill port 212.

As can be appreciated, cellular phone case 202 is constructed of asuitable resilient or rigid material capable of being removably securedto a cellular phone and protecting it from shock, scratches, or othertrauma. Resilient pad 206 may be constructed of any suitable materialdescribed above with respect to portable hand sanitizer dispenser 100.It is contemplated that portable hand sanitizer dispenser 200 may besold pre-filled with hand sanitizer, although in embodiments, portablehand sanitizer dispenser 200 may be sold empty such that a user may fillportable hand sanitizer dispenser 200 with any desired hand sanitizer.

Continuing with FIGS. 5-7, in use, a user initially secures cellularphone case 202 to a cellular phone. At this point, the user may utilizeportable hand sanitizer dispenser 200 in a substantially similar mannerto that described above with respect to portable hand sanitizerdispenser 100, and thus, in the interest of brevity, only thedifferences therebetween will be described hereinbelow. Once the handsanitizer contained within portable hand sanitizer dispenser 200 hasbeen extinguished, a user may re-fill portable hand sanitizer dispenser200 using a suitable fill bottle 216 containing a desired handsanitizer. At this point, a fill point 216 a of the fill bottle 216 maybe inserted within fill port 212 of cellular phone case 202 to re-fillcavity 206 with hand sanitizer. The process of using portable handsanitizer dispenser 200 may be repeated as many times as desired.

Turning now to FIGS. 8-9A, an alternate embodiment of portable handsanitizer dispenser 200 is illustrated. In this embodiment, cellularphone case 202 includes a door or flap 218 rotatably secured to cellularphone case 202 and configured to permit access to cavity 204 when in afirst, open position (FIG. 9), and prohibit access to cavity 204 when ina second, closed position (FIG. 8). In this manner, resilient pad 206and nozzle 208 are disposed on door 218 such that nozzle 208 is in fluidcommunication with cavity 204 when door 218 is in a second, closedposition.

Cavity 206 is configured to receive a hand sanitizer pouch 220. Handsanitizer packet 220 may be any suitable hand sanitizer packet 220 knownin the art (such as hand sanitizer refills or the like) capable of beinginserted within, and retained within, cavity 204. It is contemplatedthat door 218 may include at least one needle or knife (not shown)disposed on an underside thereof capable of puncturing hand sanitizerpacket 220 such that cavity 204 may be filled with hand sanitizer. Inembodiments, a hollow needle (not shown) may be disposed on an undersideof door 218 that is in fluid communication with nozzle 208. In thismanner, as resilient pad 206 is depressed, hand sanitizer is expelledfrom hand sanitizer packet 220, through the needle, and out nozzle 208.

As can be appreciated, door 218 may include at least one tab 222disposed on a side surface 218 a thereof configured to be insertedwithin a corresponding slot 202 a defined within cellular phone case202. In this manner, tab 222 is advanced within slot 202 a such thatdoor 218 is selectively rotatable in relation to cellular phone case 202from the first, open position, to the second, closed position. As can beappreciated, door 218 may be maintained in rotatable relation tocellular phone case 202 via a living hinge, hinge pin, or the like.Further, it is contemplated that door 218 may retained in a closedposition via a snap fit configuration. In embodiments, a sealing meansmay be employed between door 218 and cellular phone case 202 such thathand sanitizer may not leak out of cavity 204 when door 218 is in aclosed position. As can be appreciated, the sealing means may be agasket, molded seal, or the like.

In embodiments, cellular phone case 202 may be entirely hollow to permitthe entirety of cellular phone case 202 to define cavity 204. In thismanner, cellular phone case 202 may contain the hand sanitizer (oradditional hand sanitizer than would ordinarily be permitted if asmaller cavity 204 were utilized).

During use, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-9A, when the hand sanitizercontained within hand sanitizer packet 220 is extinguished, a user mayinitially rotate door 218 to a first, open position, or alternatively,remove door 218, such that cavity 204 is accessible. At this point, theused hand sanitizer packet 220 is removed from cavity 204. Next, a newhand sanitizer packet 220 is inserted within cavity 204. Finally, door218 is rotated to a second, closed position, or alternatively, door 218is replaced, such that cavity 204 is sealed off and a user may dispensehand sanitizer. The process of using portable hand sanitizer dispenser200 may be repeated as many times as desired.

It is contemplated that portable hand sanitizer dispensers 100, 200 mayinclude a safety device or other suitable means of inhibiting theaccidental dispensing of hand sanitizer from nozzles 118 or 208. Varioussafety mechanisms and/or methods of inhibiting the accidental dispensingof hand sanitizer are illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C. The various safetymechanisms and/or methods of inhibiting the accidental dispensing ofhand sanitizer described hereinbelow will be similar in construction interms of their application to either portable hand sanitizer dispenser100 or 200. Therefore, in the interest of brevity, the various safetymechanisms and/or methods will be only be described in detail withrespect to portable hand sanitizer dispenser 200.

With reference to FIG. 10A, a twist action mechanism 230 is employed. Inthis embodiment, a rotatable base 232 is disposed on a surface ofcellular phone case 202. Rotatable base 232 is capable of beingselectively rotated with respect to cellular phone case 202. Inembodiments, a biasing member (not shown) may be employed to provide abiasing force in a direction opposing rotation of rotatable base 232. Inthis manner, the biasing member ensures that twist action mechanism 230may not be armed without an external force acting thereupon (i.e., userapplied force). Resilient pad 206 and nozzle 208 are disposed onrotatable base 232 and are in mechanical communication therewith (i.e.,resilient pad 206 and nozzle 208 are rotatable in unison with rotatablebase 232). Rotatable base 232 includes a lumen 232 a definedtherethrough configured to permit the depression of resilient pad 206.Cellular phone case 202 includes a throughbore 204 a that is offset fromthe “home” position (i.e., the position in which the biasing memberretains rotatable base 232), such that lumen 232 a is only aligned withthroughbore 204 a when a user has rotated rotatable base 232 asufficient distance. In this manner, resilient pad 206 may only bedepressed when the lumen 232 a and throughbore 204 a are aligned. In anyother configuration, resilient pad 206 may not be depressed, asresilient pad 206 will contact a surface of cellular phone case 202,thereby inhibiting the dispensing of hand sanitizer from nozzle 208.

Turning now to FIG. 10B, another embodiment of a safety mechanism foruse with portable hand sanitizer dispensers 100, 200 is illustrated andgenerally identified by reference numeral 240. Safety mechanism 240 issubstantially similar to twist mechanism 230 described hereinabove,except that safety mechanism 240 requires a user to linearly advance orretreat a slidable base 242 in order to depress resilient pad 206. Inthis manner, throughbore 204 a is offset in a forward or backwardposition relative to the “home” position. In order to dispense handsanitizer, a user must first advance slidable base 242, or pull back,slidable base 242 in order to align lumen 242 a with throughbore 204 a.In this manner, a biasing member (not shown) may bias slidable base 242to the “home” position where throughbore 204 a and lumen 242 a are notin alignment, thereby inhibiting the depression of resilient pad 206 andthe accidental dispensing of hand sanitizer.

Yet another embodiment of a safety mechanism for use with portable handsanitizer dispensers 100, 200 is illustrated in FIG. 10C and isgenerally identified by reference numeral 250. Safety mechanism 250includes a slidable latch 252 disposed on a side surface of resilientpad 206. Slidable latch 252 is configured to be advanced from a firstposition, where resilient pad 206 is inhibited from being depressed, toa second position, where resilient pad 206 is permitted to be depressed.As can be appreciated, slidable latch 252 may include a biasing member(not shown) capable of biasing slidable latch 252 to the first position.In this manner, a user must advance slidable latch 252 from the firstposition to the second position, and while holding slidable latch 252 inthe second position, depress resilient pad 206 to dispense handsanitizer from nozzle 208. In one non-limiting embodiment, slidablelatch 252 is in mechanical communication with a tab or flap (not shown),although any suitable means of inhibiting depression of resilient pad206 may be employed.

As can be appreciated, each of the above described safety mechanisms maypreclude the dispensing of hand sanitizer by other means than preventingthe depression of resilient pad 206. For example, various knowntwo-stage activation methods may be utilized wherein a user must performtwo mechanical (and/or electrical) functions to dispense the sanitizer.In embodiments, each of the safety mechanisms may cut off the flow ofhand sanitizer through nozzle 206, or may cut off supply of handsanitizer from cavity 204 or hand sanitizer packet 220.

Further, it is contemplated that each of the above described safetymechanisms may be disposed on cellular phone case 202 and be separateand distinct from resilient pad 206. In this manner, each of twistaction mechanism 230 and safety mechanisms 240 and 250 may be disposedat a location remote from resilient pad 206.

With reference to FIGS. 11-18A, another embodiment of a portable handsanitizer dispenser provided in accordance with the present disclosureis illustrated as being in the form of a bracelet and generallyidentified by reference numeral 300. Portable hand sanitizer dispenser300 includes similar construction to that of portable hand sanitizerdispenser 200, except that portable hand sanitizer dispenser 300 is inthe form of a bracelet 302. In this manner, bracelet 302 may be anybracelet known in the art. Although generally shown as having a circularcross section, it is contemplated that bracelet 302 may include anysuitable cross section, such as rectangular, octagonal, hexagonal, orthe like.

Bracelet 302 is constructed of an elastic material (i.e., rubber,silicone, etc.) capable of being manipulated and/or stretched such thatit may be advanced over a user's hand and placed on the user's wrist. Inembodiments, bracelet 302 may be constructed of a rigid material, suchas plastics, metals, composites, organic materials, etc. Further,although shown as being formed monolithically (i.e., from one continuouspiece of material), it is contemplated that bracelet 302 may be formedfrom two or more segments hingedly connected at a first end and capableof movement relative to each other. In embodiments, bracelet 302 may besolid, or contain a hollow interior.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, portable hand sanitizer dispenser100 is disposed on an outer surface 304 of bracelet 302 similarly asdescribed hereinabove. In embodiments, portable hand sanitizer dispenser100 may be selectively secured to outer surface 304, although it iscontemplated that portable hand sanitizer dispenser 100 may be fixedlysecured to outer surface 304. As can be appreciated, portable handsanitizer dispenser 100 may be disposed on a side surface (not shown) ofbracelet 302.

Portable hand sanitizer dispenser 300 is used similarly to portable handsanitizer dispenser 100 as described hereinabove, and thus, in theinterest in brevity, a detailed description of the use of portable handsanitizer dispenser 300 will not be described hereinbelow.

With reference to FIGS. 14-16, in an alternative embodiment, bracelet302 may be constructed in a similar fashion to portable hand sanitizerdispenser 200 as described in detail hereinabove, thus, in the interestof brevity, only the differences therebetween will be described indetail hereinbelow. The cavity or void 306 is defined within bracelet302 and the resilient pad 308 and nozzle 310 are disposed on outersurface 304 of bracelet 302, although it is contemplated that theresilient pad 308 and nozzle 310 may be disposed on a side surface ofbracelet 302. Fill port 314 is disposed on a side surface 316 ofbracelet 302 and is utilized in a similar fashion to that describedhereinabove. In embodiments, fill port 314 may be disposed on outersurface 312.

The use of portable hand sanitizer dispenser 300 including an handsanitizer integrated within bracelet 302 is substantially similar to theuse of portable hand sanitizer dispenser 200 including a hand sanitizerdispenser integrated within a cellular phone case, and thus, in theinterest of brevity, a detailed description of portable hand sanitizerdispenser 300's use will not be described hereinbelow.

FIGS. 17-18A illustrated another embodiment of portable hand sanitizerdispenser 300 is illustrated. This embodiment is substantially similarto portable hand sanitizer dispenser 200 including a door 218 asdescribed in detail hereinabove. Thus, in the interest of brevity, onlythe difference therebetween will be described in detail hereinbelow.

Bracelet 302 includes a door 318 rotatably secured or removably securedto side surface 316, and is constructed and utilized in a substantiallysimilar fashion to that described above with respect to door 218. Inthis manner, a hand sanitizer packet 220 may be inserted into cavity 306when door 318 is in a first, open position, and contained within cavity306 when door 318 is in a second, closed position. Door 318 does notinclude a resilient pad 308 or nozzle 310 disposed thereon. Rather,resilient pad 308 and nozzle 310 are disposed on outer surface 312 ofbracelet 302. In this manner, door 318 may be constructed of a resilientor rigid material.

The use of portable hand sanitizer dispenser 300 including a door 318 issubstantially similar to the use of portable hand sanitizer dispenser200 including a door 218, and thus, in the interest of brevity, adetailed description of the use thereof will not be described in detailhereinbelow.

It is contemplated that portable hand sanitizer dispenser 300 may beconstructed such that the entirety thereof is hollow. In this manner,the hollow interior of portable hand sanitizer dispenser 300 may definecavity 306, thereby enabling hand sanitizer dispenser 300 to contain thehand sanitizer (or additional hand sanitizer than would ordinarily bepermitted if a smaller cavity 306 were utilized).

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thedrawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of particular embodiments.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A portable sanitizer dispenser for use with acellular phone, comprising: a sanitizer dispenser configured toreleasably engage at least one surface of a cellular phone, including: acompressible cavity positioned about the sanitizer dispenser; adisposable packet of sanitizer disposed in the compressible cavity; anda nozzle disposed on an outer surface of the sanitizer dispenser, thenozzle in fluid communication with the disposable packet of sanitizersuch that upon application of pressure to the compressible cavity,sanitizer is expelled from the nozzle.
 12. The portable sanitizerdispenser of claim 11, further comprising a safety mechanism configuredto inhibit sanitizer from being accidentally expelled from the nozzle.13. The portable sanitizer dispenser of claim 12, wherein the safetymechanism includes a twist-action mechanism, wherein in a first,unactuated position, sanitizer is prohibited from being expelled fromthe nozzle, and in a second, actuated position, sanitizer is permittedto be expelled from the nozzle.
 14. The portable sanitizer dispenser ofclaim 13, wherein the twist-action mechanism includes a rotatable basedisposed on the sanitizer dispenser, the rotatable base including alumen defined therethrough.
 15. The portable sanitizer dispenser ofclaim 14, wherein when the twist-action mechanism is in the first,unactuated position, the lumen is misaligned with the compressiblecavity, and when twist-action mechanism is in the second, actuatedposition, the lumen is aligned with the compressible cavity.
 16. Theportable sanitizer dispenser of claim 14, wherein the twist-actionmechanism is in the first, unactuated position, the lumen is misalignedwith the nozzle, and when twist-action mechanism is in the second,actuated position, the lumen is aligned with the nozzle.
 17. Theportable sanitizer dispenser of claim 14, wherein the twist-actionmechanism includes a biasing member configured to bias the twist-actionmechanism to the first, unactuated position.
 18. The portable sanitizerdispenser of claim 11, wherein a resilient pad is disposed over thecompressible cavity, such that when the resilient pad is depressed, thesanitizer contained within the compressible cavity is discharged fromthe nozzle.
 19. The portable sanitizer dispenser of claim 11, furtherincluding a recessed cavity formed in the sanitizer dispenser, therecessed cavity in fluid communication with the compressible cavity. 20.The portable sanitizer dispenser of claim 19, wherein the disposablepacket of sanitizer is at least partially disposed in the recessedcavity.